21 Foundation Hacks Every Woman Needs to Know

1. Apply your base makeup in this order: color correctors, foundation, concealer. If you're getting fine lines just sitting there trying to figure out the order in which to apply your base makeup, here's a little tip I've heard from every makeup artist I've ever interviewed: First, apply color correctors where needed, then your foundation all over (this helps take away most of the redness from an uneven complexion and breakouts), followed by concealer so it acts as just a finishing touch rather than doing all the covering up.

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Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

Heeseung's before-and-after shot, after using all three steps (plus a little blush and a light lip color just because):

Ruben Chamorro/Mylan Torres

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Not sure what shade of color corrector to use for your skin tone? Click here and refer to the handy chart below:

Ruben Chamorro/Maria Horn

2. If you deal with dark circles on a daily basis, double up on concealer coverage. If you don't tend to need any other color correcting but need some extra help in the dark under-eye department, pat some concealer under your eyes before applying your base makeup. If you need additional coverage after your base makeup is applied, then apply as necessary. Here, Brooke used a yellow-based concealer, since she has an olive skin tone. Not sure which color-correcting base cover-up you should use? Refer to the chart above.

5. Figure out your perfect foundation shade with the three-swipe test. If you're between a few shades, swipe them all along your cheek/jawline to see which one melds perfectly into your skin tone. Voilà, you just found the right foundation shade for you.

Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

6. When applying foundation, start from the center of your face and work outward. This leaves you with the most natural finish, like Maya's, and prevents mask-like edges of foundation to be visible around the perimeter of your face.

Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

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7. Blend foundation seamlessly over your ears and neck. Imagine seeing yourself in a picture with a flawlessly even face, but your ears look a touch red and your neck is a slightly different color. This tip prevents all of that. One last note: If you're wearing a low-cut top, pat the formula over your chest too, so there aren't any weird lines of demarcation there either.

Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

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8. You also need to think about the color of your neck when searching for your perfect foundation shade. If your neck is much lighter than your face and chest (it might happen when your chin shades it), split the difference and go for a foundation in between the color of your face and neck. This way, everything looks like it blends together seamlessly. And remember, your face stops at your chest, especially if you're wearing a strappy, strapless, or low-cut top. The last thing you want is for your face and neck to look even and your décolletage to be red and splotchy.

Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

9. Don't forget to apply foundation over your eyelids to reduce redness. Doing so instantly conceals any redness from superficial capillaries that are visible through thinner eyelid skin. Plus, it makes you look like you actually slept eight hours; skip covering them up and you'll look like you were out all night.

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Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

10. If you don't have a window (or good natural light) in your bathroom, smooth foundation on at your sink, and then check it in natural light. This helps ensure you walk out of the house with the right foundation shade, as well as zero telltale signs (like unblended areas) that you just fully made up your face.

Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

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11. If you tend to break out, always use an oil-free foundation; if you have drier skin that doesn't break out, try an oil-based formula. While it's good to hydrate acne-prone skin, dermatologists will tell you that using oil-based products isn't the best way to do it, since the heavier formula can clog your pores. That's why opting for water-based foundations are better for sensitive and oily skin types, while drier skin types — and those who don't often break out — can handle the heavier formula.

12. If you find yourself without concealer, place a small dot of liquid foundation on the area, wait a few minutes for the formula to set, and then lightly blend it out.

The trick is to wait until the foundation dries and thickens a bit (it will eventually reach the consistency of concealer) before trying to blend it. If you blend it too soon, the foundation will be sheer and rub off, leaving you with very little coverage. Try MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation in "NC 40."

14. If you want to turn your matte finish into a dewy one, apply a drop or two of a facial oil onto a sponge, then smooth on your foundation. Try Yes to Primrose Miracle Oil, which is safe for sensitive skin and can be used on your face, body, and hair.

Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

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15. Mix an illuminating formula in with your foundation for a subtle glow. If you want a slightly dewy finish, apply a touch a pea-size drop of luminizer, like L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator, on the back of your hand, followed by a quarter-size amount of foundation. Then, blend them together and apply it all over your face. If you only want certain parts of your complexion to glow, like your forehead, bridge of your nose, or cheekbones, only apply the combo over those areas.

17. Use a foundation shade with the right undertones for your skin. There are three classifications for undertones: warm, cool, and neutral. If you have warm undertones, your skin will appear peachy, yellow, or golden. If you have cool undertones, your skin will have a pink, red, or bluish cast to it. If your skin is neutral, then you have a mix of warm and cool tones. Figuring out which undertone you have is crucial because the right foundation undertone complements your skin, while the wrong one can make you look washed out or ashy. Try Make Up For Ever Water Blend or Laura Mercier CandleGlow Soft Luminous Foundation, both of which offer pink and yellow undertone options.

Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

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Three quick ways to figure out whether you have warm, cool, or neutral undertones:

If you look better in gold jewelry, you have warm undertones; if you look better in silver, then you have cool undertones, and if you can wear both, you have neutral undertones.

If white clothing enhances your skin tone, you have warm undertones; if it washes you out, you have cool undertones.

Look at the veins in your wrist. If they're slightly greenish, then you have warm undertones; if they're blue or have a purple tinge to them, then you have cool undertones.

18. Use a makeup sponge to buff out your foundation. If you like applying your base with a brush, keep a stash of makeup sponges on hand to blend out any brush strokes for an I-woke-up-like-this finish that says, "No, I'm not wearing foundation (wink, wink)." If you're trying to get out of the house fast and don't have time to buff out the tiny strokes that brushes can leave behind, use a makeup sponge to apply your foundation. One like this Beauty Blender I'm using here leaves your face brush stroke-free. (P.S.: Dampen it a touch before applying your base, so the sponge glides across your skin for an even finish.)

Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

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19. Apply your foundation with downward strokes to avoid highlighting the peach fuzz on your face. Unless you shave your face with a facial razor, you most likely have peach fuzz on your cheeks that grows downward and isn't that noticeable. However, if you swipe your foundation on with upward strokes, you can bet that said peach fuzz will be highlighted and noticeable; swipe it on with downward strokes, and it remains less detectable.

Ruben Chamorro/Katja Cho

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20. If you touch up your eyeshadow before you go out, be sure to protect your foundation application. Whether you carefully tape a tissue to your face or use one of the handy Shadow Shields that I'm wearing here, it's a good idea to protect your base makeup so product fallout doesn't ruin your base. Otherwise, the general rule of thumb is to do your eye makeup first, and the put on your foundation for this very reason.

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